What equipment do you use for backcountry skiing at night?

[Franz Klammer]

I think I might be tempted to do a few mellow laps at full moon in the backcountry -- Sherwins or Mammoth Crest for those who know it. For those who have skied in the backcountry at night before, what headlamp or other equipment do you use?

[JoeStrummer]

I pay eunuchs to hold tiki torches on either side of the slope.

In the good old days you didn't even have to pay them - Thanks, O'Bummer!

[El Chupacabra]

I've tried using a standard LED headlamp, which is fine for the skintrack up, but not enough light for the descent. If it's a full moon, no light needed for the climb.

I use a Light & Motion HID bicycle light on a helmet mount for the descent. Blindingly bright.

[jmedslc]

I ski corduroy at the resort at night and use a 3watt LED headlamp. It's enough for that application, but I don't think I'd venture too far off the established trail with it.

If it is indeed a full moon, you can prob go without a headlamp for the descent. If you have reasonably fresh snow, you'll be surprised with how bright it is.

[D(C)]

Southern Comfort to stay warm.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Full Moon : duh, THE MOON

Other times as El Chup. L&M ARC or Night Rider Slickrock 900. Bought them for MTB riding but make skiing at night brighter than most EC days. Get out and enjoy as the whole experience is surreal.

No SoCo, Yukon Jack lights the fire.

[dcpnz]

With a bright full moon don't need any light.
Without full moon, any small headlamp ok at resort but something much brighter required for bc. Like others I use a pretty powerful led bike light on a helmet mount

[toast2266]

I've been using a magicshine MJ 808 (http://magicshine.com/product_view.asp?id=69). 900 Lumen bike light, and they're pretty cheap. It's bright enough that I'll pretty much ski anything I'd ski during the day time, albeit slightly slower. For slower skiing (i.e. trees) I can pretty much ski at full speed.

[uniboyskiier]

Southern Comfort to stay warm.

Second this. I use the current black diamond flagship headlamp, forgot the name. It has a normal three led for the hikeup, then transfers with a led vented beam for the down. The extended range function is great for the downhill.

[Hugh Conway]

full moon - nothing either way. Otherwise an LED up, something bright down, but that kinda sucks because you get the tunnel headlight vision and have to keep speed down ime. Cold beer at the car and cool beats.

[Skeeze]

I'd definitely be interested in joining a full-moon night on the Mammoth Crest. I think that would be easier than booting up the Sherwins in the dark. I have a BD Spot--probably not powerful enough to really create light on the downhill, but plenty bright for everything else, and the red light saves night vision for when you're skiing down. This also looks like a good deal: http://www.backcountry.com/brunton-rl6-led-headlamp

It seems like you really need to spend a lot of money in order to get a light that's bright enough for the descent.

[deft_funk]

Same as the others, nothing if the moon's out, otherwise a real burly MTB light is the only thing worth having for the descent.

[kidwoo]

LSD and fireworks.

[gunniride]

Poor decision making, poor planning, a weak headlamp, an ancient snowmobile, good luck, and verbal abuse from the wife.

[Mr. Toad]

On a full moon night with clear skies, it'll be brighter than lamp-lit streets.

[Power_Sauce]

Southern Comfort to stay warm.

Whoa, didn't know D(C) was a high school girl :biggrin:

Seconded on the bright bike light; I use a Gemini Titan - 900 lumens on the max setting with a 4 hour battery life. That being said, you won't need a light nearly that bright if the moon is full.

[goral]

Check out Lupine lights. Pricey but awesome lights.

[coldwater]

Southern Comfort to stay warm.

Or Scotch, if you have a penis...

[bbense]

It seems like you really need to spend a lot of money in order to get a light that's bright enough for the descent.

Magicshine lights are pretty cheap. They aren't the best, but to get better you need to spend more and they are far better than
any headlamp you can get for that price.

http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_41&products_id=295&zenid=057v2hs3kqpdkk3ul76nn5u387

mtbr.com has a very good comparision/review of lights in this category. They are getting cheaper and/or brighter every year.

The other thing to be aware of is that is very easy to get turned around in the trees at night. Even on trails you know like the back of
your hand during the day, skiing them at night with a head lamp is very disorientating. Don't skimp on navigation aids...

[D(C)]

...good thing I didn't spill the beans on the Fireball... like cinnamon hearts in liquid form...

[Horu]

I like my princeton tec apex headlamp. It has lower brightness LEDs for the way up, and a fairly powerful single LED for the way down.

[Neuro]

I like my princeton tec apex headlamp. It has lower brightness LEDs for the way up, and a fairly powerful single LED for the way down.

The Apex is my go-to for nighttime fitness laps at Mt. Seymour in Vancouver. It provides enough illumination to ski groomers or something relatively smooth off-piste. If there is even the slightest bit of fog then the visibility goes to crap because of all the light reflecting back from the fog right in front of you. I've definitely waited 20 mins at the top of the hill for a low cloud to roll through.

Full or nearly full moon, you should be ok without the headlamp for the way down.

[Moose Pit]

LSD and fireworks.

toss in northern lights, a meteor shower and alien abduction...

[whacked]

Weed & Nite Rider helmet mounted bike light.

[coreshot-tourettes]

It is worth noting that many common current-controlled LED headlights will interfere with beacon searches.

Many of them have high current DC/DC switchers in front of the current control circuit that are extremely noisy. 457kHz is right near where most switchers run. The Chinese high power lights are terrible for this. My cheap MagicShine 900 will knock out an FM radio at 10 meters. (yes, different frequency, but principle is the same)

If you have a cheap headlamp, the current control is resistive and not regulated, so there is no risk of interference.

[kidwoo]

toss in northern lights, a meteor shower and alien abduction...

Why the hell else would people try to 'ski' at such stupid hours?

[Franz Klammer]

Thanks for all the replies!

[abraham]

It is worth noting that many common current-controlled LED headlights will interfere with beacon searches.

Many of them have high current DC/DC switchers in front of the current control circuit that are extremely noisy. 457kHz is right near where most switchers run. The Chinese high power lights are terrible for this. My cheap MagicShine 900 will knock out an FM radio at 10 meters. (yes, different frequency, but principle is the same)

If you have a cheap headlamp, the current control is resistive and not regulated, so there is no risk of interference.

How would I go about testing the effects of my lights on my beacon? just turn them on and use a second beacon to search?

[Hugh Conway]

It is worth noting that many common current-controlled LED headlights will interfere with beacon searches.

Many of them have high current DC/DC switchers in front of the current control circuit that are extremely noisy. 457kHz is right near where most switchers run. The Chinese high power lights are terrible for this. My cheap MagicShine 900 will knock out an FM radio at 10 meters. (yes, different frequency, but principle is the same)

If you have a cheap headlamp, the current control is resistive and not regulated, so there is no risk of interference.

I'd expand that to "most all modern electronics". If it's beyond a simple circuit....

[bodywhomper]

clear-lensed goggles

[DeathVan]

FoxFury Lighting Solutions

Firefighter's equipment with some serious light
-they are on the expensive but effective side / some being waterproof

check out the lumens !

http://www.foxfury.com/category_head_helmet_lights.php